A different opinion and now a new diagnose!

mazbaz

Hi everyone, hope you are all as well as you can be.
Today I had an emergency Rheumy clinic appt as I have been feeling fairly rubbish and my ESR and CRP are raised quite high.
Saw a different Rheumy nurse who seemed rather perplexed by my symptoms and she arranged for the other Specialist Rheumy dr to have a look at me.
I was with him for 10 minutes and how thorough he was! In that 10 minutes he Ultra sound scanned my hands, wrists and knees . Then siad he was changing all my meds because he didnt agree with my diagnose (RA) as he thought it was Psoratic Arthritis instead!
Now while this seems (I hope) a positive change of direction I am now left feeling really peeved with the fact that I have been under another so called Specialist (sposed to be the top Professor of Rheum) for nigh on 2.5 years now and been getting nowhere fast.
At no time did he even suggest having ultra sound s done and he seemed to think my little bit of Psorasis was not relevant!
So ive spent 5 months initially feeling rubbish, then a whole year under this idiot feeling rubbish cos he 1. wouldnt diagnose me and 2. wouldnt give me any meds, then 8 months this year on ineffective meds and hes given me 6 steroid injection in 6 months too!!!
I feel like sueing him but I know thats not realistic.
How can one "specialist" get it so wrong and yet another be so thorough, caring and (hopefully) correct?
It dont make no sense!!

Toots

Hi there mazbaz

So sorry to hear you've been bouncing around with no joy for the last while. I'm yet to be diagnosed so can't really help any, except perhaps to say that if this rheumy has been so thorough, maybe he's got it right? This whole thing is what worries me about being seronegative, but I have been told to expect ultrasound scans as routine. Is your original rheumy older perhaps? Either way, I hope that this new chap can get you on some medication that will start to make a real difference to you. Hugs x

dreamdaisy

I reckon you could show three rheumatologists the same set of results and get three different diagnoses. Ultimately it always comes down to the view of the rheumatologist we see: my first one said that I was orthopaedics problem, crikey he knew his stuff. :roll:

I was initially given sulphasalazine despite having no label, then a general label of 'inflammatory arthritis' was attached. After four years this was changed to PsA but that was the only change, by then I'd been there and done that on the meds front. I know your frustration all too well - it's not easy is it? DD

L1985

Hiya

I think your story is probably a common thing. I was told all auto-imune arthritis start with similar symptoms and need to progress into whatever. Sounds reasonable but isn't when your suffering and wanting meds and to feel better.

I was original diagnosed with ra then behcets and started on medication for that which did nothing. Then started on lupus drugs after 18months of things been blamed on my thyroid and just given steroid jab every few months. Finally after been under rhuemy 2years and having symptoms for 4 years I've been diagnosed with lupus. I'm on meds but still very symptomatic. At my last appointment they spoke bout changing meds but can't at the mo coz I'm pregnant.

I wouldn't be surprised if my diagnosis was hanged again in few years time.

Just wanted you to know your not alone and it is very much trial and error with drugs.

Lulu xxx

L1985

Sorry meant to say changed

Boomer13

Wow, I feel your frustration too. It sounds like maybe you're on the right track. Knowledge and research into PsA has a ways to go it seems to catch up to what's known about RA. Good on the new rheum for being on the ball!!

What meds did he put you on, if you don't mind me asking?

Glad you're getting better care,
Anna

ps I have PsA too.

barbara12

Hi mazbaz
I have said all along, that we should all see at least 2 specialist and they should compare notes...is that to easy I wonder :roll: I have OA but in the past have been told I had 2 different arthritis....still not sure what I have...I hope they can do something to help the pain....take care x

constable

Hi there

I cant help or anything because I have just OA, But I just wanted to say, no wonder you are so frustrated. You have been through it. Lets hope they have it right now and that you can start on meds that will help help you.